“Sure,” he answered, shooting the delivery guy a dirty look.
Kathy paid him and closed the door.
Kevin set the pizza on the table. “And you were worried about me showing something off? That kid’s going to be spanking himself to images of your tits for the next month.”
“I’m fully clothed.”
“Wearing no bra.” He cupped her breast and pinched her already hard nipple.
“I don’t sleep in a bra. I saw no point in putting one on now.”
“I’m not complaining. I love this. Just don’t answer the door like that if you don’t want me to answer in a towel.”
“Fair enough.” She plopped down on the couch and flipped up the lid on the box. “Now tell me all about your new job.”
Chapter Twelve
Kevin sat in his underwear on Kathy’s couch, and they shared pizza while he told her about his new job. He didn’t have too much to tell, but he was excited to have someone to share it with. All in all, it was a damn good date.
“Mayor Park told me to let you know that there will be many social engagements in our future, so be prepared.”
“Oh really? So now I’m supposed to take orders from you in the bedroom and orders from him in my free time?”
Kevin’s eyes darkened. “Sweetheart, as much as I love the idea of you taking orders from me, I’ll never ask you to do anything you don’t already want to do. As for Park, I think that was his friendly way of saying that if I want to have any time to spend with you, it’s probably going to be at work-related functions.”
“That kind of sucks.”
“Yeah, but I’ll take whatever I can get. And if you get to network and grow your business out of it, it’s a win-win, right?”
“I suppose, but don’t count on me for everything. I’m excited and happy for you, but I can’t commit to being at your beck and call for every social engagement you’re expected to attend.” Her face filled with worry.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m just picturing Moira’s social calendar and that would make me sick. I’m more of a homebody, you know?”
“Okay.” He watched her face carefully, unsure of where she was going with this.
As soon as he said okay, her entire body relaxed. Did she think this would be a fight?
“You’ll come to some parties, though, right?”
“Of course. I’m not saying I won’t ever join you, just that . . .”
“Don’t automatically assume you’re available.”
Her face softened with the knowledge that he understood. And he did. He would never assume she would be available to be with him all the time. But they were a couple now and in every relationship, there was some give-and-take.
She settled back on the couch with a glass of champagne and continued to pepper him with questions. They talked and laughed and after a while they turned on the TV.
He took the remote from her hand. Clicking through the shows on her DVR, he groaned. “Really? Sappy movies and bad reality TV?”
“I have FBI shows too. Keep scrolling.”
“I grew up with a cop and now my brother is one. I avoid all cop shows.”
“You’re no fun. What do you like to watch?”
“Sci-fi. Sometimes the History channel.”
“Huh.” She stared at him.
“What?”
“Weird choices for you.”
“What did you expect?”
“Comedy all the way.”
“Of course I watch comedies. Who doesn’t?”
“Most comedies on TV aren’t all that funny.”
“Maybe you’re watching the wrong ones.” He clicked over to Netflix, found some of his favorite shows, and added them to her watch list. “Trust me.”
“Famous last words,” she said, but then she cuddled next to him and turned to watch TV.
They didn’t even get through the first episode, and Kathy was sound asleep against him, her still-damp curls cool against his skin. Kevin knew he should wake her, send her to bed, and go home, but he enjoyed having her in his arms. And he was in no hurry to leave.
He pulled a yellow quilted blanket from the back of the couch, laid it over her, and turned to the news. What he hadn’t said to Kathy when they were discussing TV viewing habits was that as of late, he’d had little time to watch anything for pleasure. He’d been watching every bit of city-related news he could find, afraid he might miss something crucial that would impact his new position.
His new position.
He liked the sound of that. Even though the job was now officially his, he knew he couldn’t be any less vigilant. Tomorrow would be his first day as the official liaison and he needed to meet Park and come up with an agenda. Then he needed to meet with City Connections, the business with which they’d decided to partner.
While the news droned on in the background, Kevin opened his phone and made a list of what he had to get done tomorrow. It would’ve been easier with his laptop, but he hadn’t brought it. At work he’d always used the crappy desktop and left his laptop at home. He might have to start traveling with it, especially if he was going to be spending more time at Kathy’s apartment like this.
He glanced down at her. He definitely wanted to spend a lot more time like this. He stroked a hand over her curls and she turned into his touch.
“Damn,” she mumbled. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I was that tired.”
“Don’t worry about it. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“You should have. Not much of a celebratory date.” She pushed away from him to sit up. Her hair was rumpled and she was sleepy soft.
Kevin could imagine waking up to that every morning. The thought struck him hard, and for the first time in his life he didn’t feel a second of panic. Everything with Kathy felt right, just the way it had five years ago, but this time he was ready for it.
“This
